Month: December 2013

“It’s one hell of a sledgehammer to the chest when your baseball career comes to an end. It’s like you finally realize that baseball never loved you back. All the sleepless nights, the hours spent at the gym trying to stay fit, the conditioning, the training, the mental preparation, the holiday’s missed, the birthday’s passed, the memories you didn’t get to make with your family…all for what? It’s not like baseball lost any sleep over you. She didn’t stay awake for nights on end trying to figure out how to make you a better player. She didn’t care. Baseball’s a business. A sport. A game. And as much as my entire life has been wrapped up in it, it’s time to let it go.”

– Jack Carter

REVIEW

I love that Jack and Cassie finally got their HEA. This book covers the most important and special parts of Jack and Cassie’s relationship. We can read about how much they’ve grown and how their priorities have changed.

I didn’t like Melissa in this book. I’m actually glad that she and Dean won’t get a book. I’m probably just going to end up hating her and rooting for Dean to find another girl to fall in love with.

The epilogue was the best! I’m glad to see that Jack and Cassie are happier than ever and everyone is content and blissful with their lives. Favorite Quotes:

“I’m yours. There will never come a time when I don’t belong to you. It’s you for me, or no one. You hear me? Only yours. Forever.”

Live without regrets. It’s very easy to, really. You just listen to your heart, follow it, and take chances. Always take chances. And take risks, especially when it comes to love. Because love is the one thing in this world risking everything for.”

SYNOPSISBrad and Amanda are finally living the life they dreamed for themselves. However, Brad still carries the guilt from missing out on Amanda’s first pregnancy with their daughter, Maegan, and has been unable to forgive himself. The ultimate blessing to right the memories of his past is given to him when they learn they are pregnant again. Another baby means a second chance for Brad to try and forgive himself for the pain he caused the woman he loves and to show her how much she means to him.

Will this Christmas bring the healing that Brad needs to move on and let go of the guilt? Or will an unexpected visit from his parents cause a rift in his family?

Christmas is a time for love, healing, miracles, and second chances. There is only one thing Brad needs this Christmas, and that is to just….REVIEWI’m so glad Kelly Elliott wrote a companion novel starring Brad and Amanda!Brad was having a rough time moving on from all the guilt he felt. He missed out on Amanda’s first pregnancy and he gave her a really hard time in the past. Amanda is wonderful. She loves Brad so much and she hates that he can’t let go of the guilt he feels. She is so supportive and willing to make sacrifices in order to make Brad happy. Their chemistry is insane and it’s great that Brad got a second chance to prove that he is worthy of Amanda’s love. A short and sweet read.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, Manda. I love making love to you more than anything. I love you so much, pumpkin.”

ARC provided by Benbella Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest reviewSYNOPSISSo many secrets for such a small island. From the moment Anne Merchant arrives at Cania Christy, a boarding school for the world’s wealthiest teens, the hushed truths of this strange, unfamiliar land begin calling to her—sometimes as lulling drumbeats in the night, sometimes as piercing shrieks.One by one, unanswered questions rise. No one will tell her why a line is painted across the island or why she is forbidden to cross it. Her every move—even her performance at the school dance—is graded as part of a competition to become valedictorian, a title that brings rewards no one will talk about. And Anne discovers that the parents of her peers surrender million-dollar possessions to enroll their kids in Cania Christy, leaving her to wonder what her lowly funeral director father could have paid to get her in and why.As a beautiful senior struggles to help Anne make sense of this cloak-and-dagger world without breaking the rules that bind him, she must summon the courage to face the impossible truth—and change it—before she and everyone she loves is destroyed by it.

REVIEWThis book gave me goosebumps! I couldn’t put it down because I just had to know what was up with the students and the island. There were so many questions that I wanted answers to. Why is there a red line separating the students from the villagers? Why is everyone always so cryptic around Anne? Who can she trust? The students in this school were weirdly competitive. Almost everyone wanted to keep to themselves and the animosity was off the charts. I’m not exaggerating when I say everyone wanted to be Valedictorian. This was the biggest mystery for me. Why did everyone want the Big V? You don’t know who to trust in this book. Everyone seems to have a hidden agenda. Ben, the boy who ignores Anne in public, but keeps giving out hints when they’re together. Anne feels a connection between her and Ben. She can’t figure out why she’s drawn to him. I loved the twist at the end! I wasn’t expecting that! I thought I had it all figured out. This book is great for people who might be looking for a paranormal book that’s different and not about vampires and werewolves.5 stars!GOODREADSAMAZON

SYNOPSISIn life, there are times you are granted a miracle. It may not be the one you wanted exactly, but it will be the one you need. It will prepare you for the next step in your journey and help you learn to accept the life you are given, even if that life can be heartbreaking.

Rye is sick. She knows that she doesn’t have the luxury of living a long life, so she treats every day like it’s her last day. Her strength comes from her family, mostly her mom and her daughter Emily.

Rye and Emily were at the March of Dimes when Rye bumps into Jett. Jett went to school with her, but she cannot remember him all that well because he looks different. Jett used to look like a nerd, but that wasn’t the case now.

Rye didn’t want Jett to get too close to her because she knew she didn’t have much time left. This book was a short read, so the pushing away Jett in order to keep his heart safe part wasn’t agonizingly long thank God.

“I know what I want, and I know what I need to do. One thing I’ve learned: life is not promised to anyone.”

The moment Rye decides that she wants to be with Jett is the best decision she’s ever made. Not only has she gained the other half of her soul, but Emily also gained a father.

Jett is such a special guy. Despite him being hurt once before because of his mother, he was willing to put his heart on the line because he really wanted to be with Rye. I also adored the way he was with Emily! He treated her like his own daughter and he was always there for her.

I had to read another book while reading this because I couldn’t read it in one sitting. I had to take book breaks so the blow wouldn’t hurt so bad. I didn’t succeed since I still cried like a baby in almost every page.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“I spent every day while I was in Iraq thinking it was my last. I lived and loved everything from one day to the next,” I say, taking a deep breath. “With the utmost respect Ms. Silcox, I will do the same with Rye. I refuse to walk away.”

“What I want from you is simple. I want today only. If it’s laughter, I want it. If it’s pain, I want it. Whatever today holds, as long as the day holds you, I want it. I want today only.”

“Rye, you are my breath. Sometimes I feel as though my heart only beats when you’re around.”

SYNOPSIS:Luke Price’s life has always been about order, control, and acting tough on the outside. For Luke, meaningless relationships are a distraction-a way to tune out the twisted memories of his childhood. He desperately wishes he could forget his past, but it haunts him no matter what he does.Violet Hayes has had a rough life. When she was young, she was left with no family and the memory of her parents’ unsolved murders. She grew up in foster homes, living with irresponsible parents, drugs, and neglect, and trying to fight the painful memories of the night her parents were taken from her. But it’s hard to forget when she never got closure-and she can’t stop dreaming about what happened that tragic night. To make it through life, she keeps her distance from everyone and never allows herself to feel anything.Then Violet meets Luke. The two clash instantly, yet they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Although they fight it, they both start to open up and feel things they’ve never felt before. They discover just how similar they are. But they also discover something else: The past always catches up with you . . .REVIEW:

Violet was first introduced in “The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden” as Callie’s roommate. I was intrigued with Violet when I was reading Callie and Kayden’s story. She was thought to be a slut, but when she caught Callie and Kayden in a compromising situation one time, she freaked out on them. I feel really bad for Violet since she’s labeled as a slut when she’s pretty much innocent and despite the tough exterior, she’s vulnerable. This book made me realize that you really can’t judge people based on how they look and draw a conclusion about who they are based on what you’ve seen or heard. Violet doesn’t let anyone see what she truly feels and she’s closed off. No one has been able to get through her, until she meets Luke. Luke was also introduced in “The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden” as Kayden’s best friend. I had creepy feelings with Luke’s mom in Callie and Kayden’s book. I thought she did this particular thing to him, turns out I was wrong, but the thing that his mother did to him was equally horrifying. Luke doesn’t get close to anyone. He’s not even that close to Kayden even though they’re best friends. All he does is fool around with girls and get intoxicated. No girl has been able to make Luke feel something other than detachment, until he meets Violet. Violet and Luke start off by trying to appear as if they don’t affect one another. They try to escape from the feelings that the other evokes in them, but of course they can’t resist each other. There is a heartbreaking twist in this story. I saw it coming, but I just didn’t want it to be true because the both of them had enough problems as it is. This book is so Jessica Sorensen. There’s a cliffhanger, it’s super intense, and the characters have heart wrenching pasts.4.5 stars! GOODREADSAMAZON

SYNOPSIS*Mikayla*In one night my fairytale ended. Or it may have begun. This is my story of friendship and love, heartbreak and desire, and the strength to show weakness.*Jake*One night I met a girl. A sad and broken girl, but one more beautiful than any other. She laughed through her sadness, while I loved through her heartbreak.*This is our story of a maybe ever after.*He was right. It made no difference whether it was 6 months or 6 years. I couldn’t undo what had been done. I couldn’t change the future.I couldn’t even predict it. It was one night.One night when everything changed.It was so much more than just the betrayal.It was the Tragedy. The Deaths. The Murders.But it was also that feeling.The feeling of falling.REVIEWThis song was going through my mind the whole time I was reading this book.

This book had me from page 1. I didn’t sleep just so I could finish this book. In one night, Mikayla’s world fell apart. Her parents, sister, best friend, and her boyfriend. She lost all of them in one night. Then she meets Jake Andrews, and he makes everything feel better. They have only met that night, but their connection was unlike anything before. I cannot enumerate all of the times Jake saved her, and made her feel precious. Can someone please deliver a Jake Andrews to my doorstep?I cannot stop thinking about this guy! He’s one of my ultimate book boyfriends.

I have no idea how Mikayla would have turned out if Jake wasn’t there to help her. He was her protector, and he loved her with all of him. The things he said and did for her made me SWOON. The secondary characters were all so funny and they made everything better. I love drunk Lucy! She was hilarious. Logan was also one of my favorite characters.Waiting for Mikayla and Jake to confess how they feel for each other was frustrating. I wanted to grab them and knock their heads together.I highly recommend this book!FAVORITE QUOTES:

“Why does he call get to call you Kayla, and everyone else calls you Micky?”

I shrug, “Because my family called me Kayla”.

“Because I’m your Jake,” he smiles, “and you’re my Kayla,”

“I’m thinking that maybe I’m really far from more than a lot liking you, Mikayla Jones.”

SYNOPSISUnderground fighter Remington Tate is a mystery, even to himself. His mind is dark and light, complex and enlightening. At times his actions and moods are carefully measured, and at others, they spin out of control.Through it all, there’s been one constant: wanting, needing, loving, and protecting Brooke Dumas. This is his story; from the first moment he laid eyes on her and knew, without a doubt, she would be the realest thing he’s ever had to fight for.REVIEWREMY!!!! I love the male POV. It was nice to get inside Remy’s head. I love how he was enamoured with Brooke from the start. His love for her was truly powerful and admirable. I ached with Remy when he was falling more in love with Brooke every day, but he couldn’t tell her about his secret. He just wanted someone to understand him and love him for him. I had a really hard time reading about his fight with scorpion. I had to take breaks in between pages because it made my heart hurt. He was doing it all for Brooke, and while he was fighting, all he thought of was how Brooke would look at him when he finally gave her what she wanted. That part of the book just broke my heart! The ending was beautiful! I’m going to miss Remy and Brooke so much! “Protecting you is my privilege. I will protect you and anything that you value as if it were mine.”5 STARS! GOODREADSAMAZON